Ex-resident charged with 40 pounds of ‘ice’ to sell

A Las Vegas man who allegedly supplied about 79 pounds of crystal methamphetamine for distribution here since mid-2004 has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

Charles Lee Ranney Jr., 27, formerly of Hawaii, is charged with conspiring to distribute more than 40 pounds of "ice" -- of which 35 pounds were recovered from a Waikele home last month in one of the largest seizures of the drug in recent history.

According to the indictment, before Sept. 16, Ranney delivered about 40 pounds of methamphetamine from Las Vegas to Hawaii.

A federal complaint filed last month alleges that a 46-year-old Waipahu man, Francis Honda, received the 40 pounds from Ranney for distribution. Honda was arrested Sept. 13 for possession with intent to distribute 13 ounces of "ice" that was found on him when he was arrested.

He later told federal agents that the 13 ounces were a portion of the 40 pounds given to him by Ranney on Sept. 5 at a meeting in Hawaii Kai.

The 40 pounds had an estimated street value of $5.376 million. Federal agents seized the remaining 35 pounds at the home of Honda's friend in Waikele.

Honda told agents that he previously had received "ice" from Ranney or a middleman, Antonio Santos, 37, of Waipahu, and that he had paid between $18,000 and $20,000 per pound.

Santos and Ranney were charged in the earlier complaint with conspiracy. Honda was charged with possession with intent to distribute. Ranney, who was initially arrested Sept. 16 in Las Vegas, will be brought here to face the charges. All three are being held without bail.